Huxlow Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 20 May 2025

The school has transformed pupils' experiences of school so that they have more opportunities to be successful. Pupils learn in purposeful classroom environments and work with staff who are highly ambitious about what they can achieve. The quality of education provided by the school has recently improved. However, the curriculum is not taught consistently well, and pupils do not achieve as well as they should. The school has ensured that pupils understand the 'Huxlow way' and demonstrate pride, ambition and respect. The vast majority of pupils behave well, say that they feel safe and have a trusted adult who they can turn to, should they have any concerns. Pupils take on leadership roles as sports leaders and form representatives. They take pride in contributing to the school community and sharing their ideas. The school listens to pupils and makes adjustments, including to significant aspects of school life, such as to the behaviour and rewards policy. These changes benefit pupils. Some parents and carers recognise the recent positive changes that the school and the trust have brought about. The school has increased its communication with parents but there remain some who would appreciate further improvement in their children's experience of school.

What the school should improve

• The school does not consistently check pupils' knowledge well enough. Pupils do not routinely benefit from high-quality advice and feedback. This can lead to gaps in pupils' knowledge and pupils not achieving as highly as they should. The school should ensure that there are effective strategies in place to check pupils' knowledge over time and in lessons so that any gaps or misconceptions are identified and addressed. The school should ensure that pupils receive the guidance they need to achieve well.
• Sometimes, the school does not ensure that teaching is adapted well enough so that pupils can access the curriculum. This means that, on these occasions, pupils with SEND who require particular adaptations to be made, or pupils who need extra support to build effectively on their prior learning, do not receive the learning opportunities that they need. The school should ensure that information about pupils' needs is used consistently well so that pupils receive the support they need to progress through the curriculum.
• On occasion, the school does not ensure that its high expectations of behaviour are maintained. This means that there are times when pupils see and hear disrespectful behaviour. The school should ensure that pupils are supported consistently well to make the right choices and to be respectful at all times.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)